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Advice to Visitors
Do's & Don'ts In Thailand
Getting Along In Thailand
Thailand is known for its tolerance and hospitality, and the
average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the
local customs All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar
society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain
do's and don't's, and thus avoid making accidental
misunderstanding. Basically, most of these are simply a matter
of common sense and good manners not really all that different
from the way one would behave in one's own country but a few are
special enough to be pointed out.
The Monarchy
The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for their
Royal Family, and a visitor should also be careful to show
respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. In a
cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the
playing of the royal anthem, and the audience is expected to
stand. When attending some public event at which a member of the
Royal Family is present, the best guide as to know how to behave
is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does. Religion
Thai
law has a number of special sections concerning religious
offences, and these cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the
majority of the people, but also any other faiths represented in
the kingdom. It is, for instance, unlawful to commit any act, by
any means whatsoever, to an object or a place of religious
worship of any community in a manner likely to insult the
religion. Similarly, "whoever causes any disturbance at an
assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious
worship of religious ceremonies" is subject to punishment, as
well as "whoever dresses or uses a symbol showing that he is a
monk or novice, holy man or clergyman of any religion unlawfully
in order to make another person believe he is such person."
In less legal language, here are a few tips on what to do and
what not to do on a visit to a religious place:
•
Dress neatly. Do not go topless, or in shorts, or other
unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you will
see the way they would prefer you to be dressed which, in fact,
is probably not very different from the way you would dress in a
similar place in your own country.
•
It is all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound
of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the
principal Buddha image is kept. Do not worry about dirt when you
have to take them off, the floors of such places are usually
clean.
•
In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be
well-covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse
buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the hair. All should
remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be
present if there is a religious gathering.
•
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a
woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has
to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a
man, who then presents it. Or in the case of a woman who wants
to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out
a piece of saffron robe or hander chief in front of him, and the
woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held
at one end by the monk or novice.
•
All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded
as sacred objects. Therefore, do not climb up on one to take a
photograph, or generally speaking, do anything that might show a
lack of respect.
Social Customs
The don'ts of Thai social behaviour are less clearly defined
than these concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in a
city like Bangkok where western customs are better known and
more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may
not be in the countryside where the old ways are still
prevalent. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
•
Thais do not normally shake hands when they greet one another,
but instead press the palms together in a prayer like gesture
called a wai. Generally, a younger person wais an elder, who
returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.
•
It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to
avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the
conception that the foot is a low limb; do not point your foot
to show anything to anyone but use your finger instead.
•
Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both
literally and figuratively. As a result, they do not approve of
touching anyone on that part of the body, even in a friendly
gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering,
you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to
keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid
giving the impression of "looking down" on them. This is not
always possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.
•
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned
upon. You may see some very westernized young Thai couples
holding hands, but that is the extent of the displaying of
affection in this polite society.
•
Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely
get you nowhere. The Thais think that such displays denote poor
manners, and you are more able to get what you want by keeping
calm and concealing your emotions.
Do not be surprised if you are addressed by your first name: for
instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Maryinstead of by your surname. This
is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually
with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs. or miss) in front. Follow the
customs of the country as far as possible, and you will make
more friends during your stay.
Special Advice
1. Beware of unauthorized people who offer their services as
guides. Contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s
counters for all tourist information. The TAT's counters are
located in the Arrival Hall of the Bangkok International
Airport; at Terminal 1 Tel: 523-8972-3, or at Terminal 2 Tel:
535-2669 from 08.00 to 24.00 hrs.; at the main office on
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue Tel: 281 -0422 during working hours of
08.30 to 16.30 hrs.
2. Visitors are advised to use the hotel taxi service at their
hotel if they do not know their way around or cannot speak the
local language.
3. Observe all normal precautions as regards to personal safety,
as well as the safety of your belongings. Walking alone on quiet
streets or deserted areas is not recommended. Be sure that all
your valuables -money, jewellery, and airline tickets- are
properly protected from loss.
4. Use the service of only registered travel agents.
5. Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical
practices, or other matters, please call the Tourist Assistance
Centre immediately (Tel: 281 -5051, 282-8129) or contact the
Tourist Police (Tel: 678-6800- 9 or 1699)
6. Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand, do
not get yourself involved with drugs.
7. Please drop your garbage into a waste container. The Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration is now strictly enforcing the law in
an effort to keep the city clean and healthy. The fine (maximum
2,000 baht) will be imposed on a person who spits, discards
cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.
Shopping Advice
A great variety of souvenirs made from local products are
available at fair prices in Thailand. For those who have not got
very much time and do not want to bother bargaining, certain
items are available at fixed prices in several department stores
while a bargain can be made at small shops or with street
vendors. Some of the preferred items include silk products,
leather products, silverware, ceramics, and wood products.
Another favorite is jewellery for which Thailand is renowned
for craftsmanship and relatively low prices. In a bid to provide
impressive shopping experiences for tourists, especially in
purchasing jewellery, here is some useful advice.
1. Disregard all stranger's offers of free assistance or
services, especially in purchasing jewellery, or you might find
out later that you have made your purchases at relatively much
higher prices than what it should be because the shop owners
will have to pay a 10-30% commission to the one who attracts
customers to their shops and have it added to the jewellery
prices.
2. Make your purchases just to satisfy yourself, your relatives,
or friends. Do not expect to gain profit from the goods because
jewellery prices change in accordance with times and places of
purchase. The jewellery prices vary owing to different values
and popularity.
3. Compare and negotiate the prices of jewellery of the same
types and sizes in several different shops before making a
decision to buy so, as to be assured of possessing the goods at
fair and reasonable prices.
4. Please be informed that any claim made by the shop owner that
the purchases could be refunded at Thai embassies, consulates,
or other government agencies abroad is not true nor practical.
5. Make sure that all documents such as receipts, quality
certificates, and your customer slip (if paid by credit card)
contain all negotiated data, be it the prices in Thai or foreign
currencies, or name and address of the shop which will be
beneficial should any problem emerge later.
6. In general for the jewellery trade in Thailand, all purchased
goods cannot be returned. However, in case of a possible refund,
25-30% of sold prices will be deducted as a cost of damage. Some
reputable companies will take back jewellery for a full refund,
although usually some have a time limit, such as 30 days, is
placed upon that return privilege.
WHOM Crisis
Many wildlife species are becoming extinct, all because of
human's insatiable greed. This sad trend will continue unabated
unless every effort is made to check or reverse the process. We
must together put a stop to all these harmful practices and
cruelties. The only place where wild animals belong is their
natural habitation. You can help protect wildlife in all its
forms.
1. Keep the environment clean. Styrofoam, plastics, and other
synthetics thrown into the sea or discarded in the forest are
harmful or even deadly to animals. When Styrofoam is eaten by
turtles, its buoyancy keeps them from diving and they starve to
death.
2. Do not support all manners of wild animal abuse. Never buy
and keep wild animals as pets in which condition they are never
meant to be. Never purchase any products or souvenirs made from
wild animals including reptiles like crocodiles, snakes, monitor
lizards, and also turtle shell and ivory.
3. Avoid patronizing local restaurants and other public places
that specialize in or serve wild animal delicacies. It is
against the law to slaughter wildlife for food in Thailand,
especially many endangered species. Take no part in this act.
Some Useful Thai Phrases
|
English |
Thai |
English |
Thai |
Good
Morning
Good Evening,
Good Afternoon,
Good Night,
Hello, Good-Bye
Mr./Miss/Mrs.
Yes
No
How are you?
Very well, Thank you
I am going to...
How much do you want?
Too much
Too expensive
Any discount?
Understand?
I don't understand
Please speaks slowly
No, I won't go
Please drive slowly
Be careful
Turn to the right
Turn to the left
Drive straight on
Slow down
Stop
How much is this?
Please wrap it for me
I'm sorry
Excuse me, Pardon me
Very good
Not Good
Good luck
Day
Today
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thrusday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Month
This month
Next month
Last month |
Sa-wad-dee
"
"
"
"
Koon
Chai
Mai
Koon-sa-bai-di-hru?
Sa-bai-di, Khop-koon
Chan-ja-pai
Koon-tong-kan-thao-rai
Mak-pai
Paeng-pai
Lot-ra-ka-noi-dai-mai
Khao-jai-mai
Chan-mai-khao-jai
Proat-put-cha-cha
Chan-maipai
Proat-kap-cha-cha
Ra-wang
Lieo-khwa
Lieo-sai
Kap-trong-pai
Cha-cha
Yut
Ra-ka-thao-rai?
Ho-hai-duai
Chan-sear-jai
Kho-thot
Dee-mark
Mai-dee
Chok-dee
One
One-nee
One-prung-nee
Muar-waan-nee
One-jan
One-ang-karn
One-put
One-pa-ru-haat
One-sook
One-sao
One-ar-tit
Duean
Duean-nee
Duean-nah
Duean-tee-laew |
Year
This year
Next year
Last year
I
You
He, She, They
Like
Love
Hate
This (thing)
This (person)
That (thing)
That (person)
I am...
You are...
He, She, They are...
I have...
You have...
He, She, They have...
No - Don't - Not
"Time"
Second
Minute
Hour
Open
Shut
Why
Who
Where
When
How
What
Near
Far
Large
Small
Go
Come
How long?
Slow
Fast
Heavy
Light
Old
New
Thin
Thick |
Pee
Pee-nee
Pee-nah
Pee-tee-laew
Chan
Koon
Kao
Chorp
Rak
Kleate
Aan-nee
Kon-nee
Aan-nan
Kon-nan
Chan-pen...
Koon pen...
Kao-pen...
Chan-mee...
Koon-mee...
Kao-mee...
Mai
Vi-na-tee
Na-tee
Chuar-mong
Perd
Peed
Tham-mai
Krai
Te-nai
Mur-rai
Yang-rai
Ar-rai
Klai
Glai
Yai
Lek
Pai
Ma
Nan-mai?
Cha
Reaw
Naak
Bao
Gao
Mai
Bang
Na |
Numbers
|
1 |
Neung |
11 |
Sip-Et |
60 |
Hok-Sip |
|
2 |
Song |
12 |
Sip-Song |
70 |
Jet-Sip |
|
3 |
Sam |
13 |
Sip-Sam |
100 |
Neung-Roi |
|
4 |
Si |
16 |
Sip-Hok |
150 |
Neung-Roi-Ha-Sip |
|
5 |
Ha |
20 |
Yi-Sip |
200 |
Song-Roi |
|
6 |
Hok |
21 |
Yi-Sip-Et |
500 |
Ha-Roi |
|
7 |
Jet |
25 |
Yi-Sip-Ha |
1,000 |
Nueg-Phan |
|
8 |
Paet |
30 |
Sam-Sip |
10,000 |
Neung-Mun |
|
9 |
Kao |
40 |
Si-Sip |
100,000 |
Neung-Saen |
|
10 |
Sip |
50 |
Ha-Sip |
1,000,000 |
Neugn-Lan |
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